27 Chapter 26 (1/2)
After traveling for no more than a few hours, it started to rain, and a few minutes later it turned into snow. The currents and weather are unpredictable, considering how they change in an instant.
Nami was regularly checking the Log Pose since I had already warned her about it. She was currently giving orders to the crew and my clones, while I was playing with the snow, and throwing snowballs at them.
The snow lasted until night time before being greeted by a spring breeze. I just had a small breakthrough, and I am currently able to create four clones myself. Unfortunately, the clones can still create only one, so in total, I can have eight copies of me.
”BOSS!” I was doing physical exercises, while a clone that was keeping the ship in the right direction called me. He was pointing towards the left with a worried look.
Turning around I saw a bird in the distance that was making its way towards us. The bird was far away from, yet I was able to see its features. Its feathers were white with a hint of grey, and it resembled an eagle. The bird was gigantic, easily dwarfing our ship, but the scary is that it didn't cause any disturbance in his flight. No winds, no waves, nothing, like it was nothing more than an illusion, but the dread I felt was real.
When it reached the Going Merry, the bird morphed into a man standing at least four meters tall. He had white hair with a hint of gray, and his nose was long and curved down like beak. His eyes were pure white except for the pupil, and he wore feathers instead of clothes.
”Rokoko, like they say, seeing is believing. You are an interesting one, Rokoko.” His voice felt like it was piercing me, but I felt no malice from him.
”Shanks told me you ate the Rubber-Rubber fruit, but it seems you have already eaten another one as well.” I had entered my hybrid form, in case he attacks, but hearing him say, Shanks, relieved me a little bit.
”You know Shanks?” I asked, hoping they are on good terms.
”I do, I remember him when he was around your age. He was running around the Oro Jackson like a little hatchling. In a way, you remind me of him, Rokoko.” The man was walking circles around me and inspecting me while talking.
”So you were part of Roger's crew as well?” At this point, I was almost sure that he means us no harm.
”I was, but that is not important right now. I'm more interested in your Devil Fruits. How did you survive eating a second Devil Fruit?” He asked me with a smirk.
”I don't know. I ate it after starting my journey by mistake. After that, I got caught in a whirlpool, so I jumped in a barrel to keep myself alive and passed out.” He just started laughing after my response.
”I am known as Sakhra D. Rukh, and it's a pleasure to meet you Monkey D. Luffy. It's been a long time since I saw someone with two Devil Fruit powers.” Initially, I was confused at his statement, but when Rukh transformed his hand into rock, my jaws dropped to the floor.
”Rokoko, did you think you are special? I know of a few people with two Devil Fruits. Don't get me wrong, you have eaten two before the age of twenty, and that's an incredible achievement. Your potential is unlimited considering your starting point.” Rukh said with a smile.
”This is a Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, and you can guess what this is.” He pulled out a book and a Devil Fruit from within his feathers and handed them to me.
”Another thing you should know is that there is another stage to Devil Fruits and it's called Awakening. Few can reach that level, but I believe in you.” Rukh patted me on the should while saying that.
”I already Awakened my Rubber fruit!” I exclaimed with my signature grin, and I saw his eyes nearly popping out of his sockets.
”ROKOKOKO, the Dawn of the World is coming, ROKOKO. I will be on my way boy since I have things to handle. Make us all proud.” Rukh jumped away and morphed back into his gigantic bird-form before flying away.
The meeting with Rukh changed my perspective on the world. The World Government probably has publicized that eating two Devil Fruit kills you, or there are specific conditions that need to be met before one can consume another Devil Fruit. I wish he stayed for a bit longer and explained some things to me.